|
50 Cent Album: “Curtis”
| Album Information : |
|---|
|
|
Release Date:2007-06-18
|
|
Type:Unknown
|
|
Genre:Hip-Hop/Rap, East Coast Rap, Mainstream Rap
|
|
Label:Universal
|
|
Explicit Lyrics:Yes
|
|
UPC:4988005475053
|
Review - :
There are two big stories behind {$50 Cent}'s third album, {^Curtis} (as in real name: {$Curtis Jackson}). First, there's the promise he made that he would outsell {$Kanye West} -- who was releasing his {^Graduation} album the same day as {^Curtis} -- or he would retire. Second, there's the album's original title, Before I Self Destruct, a fitting caption to the moody close-up of {$50} on the cover, which looks much more troubled, concerned, and intense than anything on the album sounds. Referencing self-destruction would have been a gross misrepresentation of a full-length that repeatedly employs the tried-and-true {$50 Cent} formula -- heavy hooks, macho charisma, a dash of controversy, and some sly cleverness -- and features a collaboration with the ultra-suave {$Robin Thicke} smack dab in the middle. The perfect soundtrack if {$50}'s {@G-Unit} empire begins opening cocktail lounges, {&"Follow My Lead"} with lounge lizard {$Thicke} is pure polish, a slow finger-snapper dressed up in an expensive suit that feels extremely comfortable. Equally at ease is the {$Timbaland} production {&"Ayo Technology"} featuring {$Justin Timberlake}, an obvious single that's "been there, done that" for all parties involved. This doesn't mean it's bland, just safe. Same goes for both {&"Amusement Park,"} which is as empty-headed and hook-filled as {&"Candy Shop,"} and {&"I'll Still Kill"} with {$Akon}, which offers no surprises, just another melody that refuses to leave the head. Also from the high-profile department and pushing a little harder is the emotional {&"All of Me,"} which finds {$Mary J. Blige} and {$50} displaying some passionate chemistry, and {&"Fire,"} which succeeds not because of the underwhelming {$Dr. Dre} production or the severe chorus from {$Pussycat Doll} {$Nicole Scherzinger}, but because of {$50}'s inspired verses, one of which gives up "You can hate this/But face it/{$B.I.G.} and {$2Pac}/Just ain't around." "Get a tan?/I'm already black/Get rich?/I'm already that" comes from {&"I Get Money,"} a classic "I run New York" swagger-fest in the {@G-Unit} style. The third killer verse on the full-length is much too foul to repeat and comes from {$Eminem}, who also produces the great {&"Peep Show"} and makes {$50} sound hungry for a change. As far as {$Dre} rapping on {&"Come & Go,"} he's got two lines, and as far as controversy, {&"Fully Loaded Clip"} flippantly drops some big names for the sake of mischief while {&"Man Down"} is censored no matter what version you buy, since {@Interscope} isn't so keen on cop-killing lyrics. In the end, {^Curtis} is entertaining but only impressive in that {$50} can run in place and still be on top. ~ David Jeffries, All Music Guide
|
|
